Too Loud Part 6A- Setting the Scene

Posted on Tue Nov 9th, 2021 @ 9:00am by Ensign Cameron Kore & Civilian Jessica Haugen & Lieutenant Anthony Edwards Ph. D
Edited on on Tue Nov 9th, 2021 @ 9:01am

1,361 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Silent Scream
Location: Deck 3- Lounge
Timeline: 26th April 2395- 2100hrs

Walking down the corridor of deck 3 Cameron eventually passed through the double doors into the ship’s lounge, even though Jessica was keeping the lounge open for longer given their circumstances she still needed a little time closed up to have a clean, which was the best time to catch her.

Jessica heard the feet dragging through the carpet as someone approached her. Without looking up from her cleaning she said “We’re closed for cleaning. We’ll be open again in an hour.”

“I know Jess and I’m sorry but this was the best time to catch you,” Cameron said as she approached. “I won’t get in the way.”

“Well that is true, I am always busy with this place. Thankfully I have James. He finished hours ago but I don’t know what I’d do without him running the culinary side of the lounge.” Jessica felt, from years of tending a bar that there was something up with Cameron so asked, “How can I help you Cameron?”

“Me and Lieutenant Edwards have been practising playing music together for the last month or so.” Cameron sat on one of the stools by the bar keeping out of Jessica’s way as she cleaned. “And we were thinking about putting on a little bit of a show for the crew.”

“Anthony and you, by the sounds of it have had a very good idea! People are suffering from this…” Jessica pointed out the nearest window to indicate the starless night around them. “Something to lift morale would be a good thing before it hits rock bottom, if nothing else it should lift everyone’s sports for a while.”

Cameron smiled, glad Jessica thought well of their idea. “We figured the best place for it would probably be here, so seeing as this is your domain we wanted to ask you about it.”

“Probably a good time to come and see me then. Especially from a planning ideal. Which instrument is Anthony planning of playing in that case? He plays a few and at least one will need more room than his flute.” Jessica said with a smile as she continued cleaning the bar top.

“I’d have a violin and Anthony a piano, the stage should have enough room for both of us easily.” Cameron replied.

“Yes if we keep it free of tables and chairs there would be plenty of room for them. So are we thinking rolling service of canapes or concert seating set up?” Jessica asked, being violin and pianos she thought canapes and background music was the best for this situation.

“We thought keeping it kinda informal would be better, let people move around, drink, eat, hell dance if they felt like it.” Cameron said, there had been quite the discussion between her and Anthony about this point.

“Guessing you’ve got some really good up-tempo beats if you’re saying things like dancing.” Jessica giggled as thought about Taliserra dancing, especially with a crew member.

“We’re still debating exactly what songs to play but we’ve got a good mix of them to choose from. Mostly older stuff, some classical, some rock and a bit of folk.”

“Yes, folk music is good for lifting the spirits. All music can, just like if the music is good people may well dance to it.” Jessica said.

“Even if it’s only a couple of people it’d be nice to see.” Cameron added, she’d not be disappointed if no one did dance so long as everyone was enjoying themselves.

“Yeah, I give anything to see anything but a grumpy face. It’s not good for mental health to not see stars.” Jessica said, “And not having Alcohol to change that doesn’t much help.”

“I was thinking about that, I bet between the three of us we might be able to get the Captain to make a small exception, might help the crew let off a little more steam.”

Jessica knew exactly where Cameron was going. “I am sure you’re right. I am willing to support you in the alcohol service if we get permission to do so for the Captain, because as we all know it is a relaxant. And so long as we have plenty of food and the music will help with an atmosphere so it isn’t a stretch to serve alcohol either.”

“Speaking of the Captain, Anthony should be talking with her right now.” With both the lounge and Taliserra’s quarters on Deck 3 they had parted ways after leaving the turbolift. “We doubt she’d say no to us putting on this little show but we knew we should ask first.”

Jessica giggled again. “He’ll talk himself up to it eventually He doesn’t often go to her quarters mainly cause he feels it is some somewhere she should be able to get away from it and just be a family zone but he knows this is needed and they work closely, I guess that's why you came here to talk with me then.

Cameron smiled slightly. “Something like that, one of her senior officers coming to see her about an idea would make a little more sense than a lowly Ensign.”

Jessica laughed, “You might be a lowly Ensign Miss Kore but at her family residence I bet you would be Cameron. On duty or in duty uniform where it is reminding her of your status is completely different, but a family residence where she gets to relax for a few hours and be herself and play with her daughter. Then you are just two people that if you give yourself a chance could be friends.”

“Maybe, the Captain has always been a good person even to the lower ranks.” Cameron said. “Though Anthony still has the better shot at it regardless.”

“True I expect with being chief and longer time in service he probably knows her better than a lower decks nurse. I don’t think you need to worry too much either way because she’ll see this plan as a good thing. It might take a little working for him to get her to unlock the liquor cabinet, but if she sees it as a good way for everyone to loosen up I don’t see it being a problem. You only need a little bit to help people enjoy themselves, she knows I would control how much is used.” Jessica said with a smile at how Taliserra really made Cameron nervous.

“I suspect if she does it’d be to a very limited degree, she wouldn’t want the crew getting too drunk.”

“Very true. I would probably set a tight limit even if she didn’t.” Jessica said.

Cameron smiled. “So long as the Captain agrees I think we’re more or less set, apart from what day and time we do it.”

“Well would need a few hours for set up so I would suggest some time after 18:00 on whatever day you plan to do this. Just so I can close while the bar staff can set it up for your concert.” Jessica said.

“We’ll have a chat about when to do it, I think we’d want to get another full practise session in before we play in front of everyone. We’ll let you know as soon as we know for ourselves.”

“Fair enough. Well at least you know that you have a location for your concert. If nothing else.” Jessica said.

“Thanks so much Jessica,” Cameron said and slipped off the stool. “Don’t know what I'd do without you.”

Jessica laughed and said, “Probably have to go with Anthony to chat with the big scary Captain.”

“I should probably go see if he’s back. Hopefully it went as well as this did.” Cameron turned to head for the exit. “Thank you again Jessica.”

“Okay Cameron, have a good evening.” Jessica said as she returned to her cleaning as Cameron turned to leave.


OFF:

Ensign Cameron Kore
Nurse [npc Taliserra]

Jessica Haugen
Lounge Manager
[npc Taliserra, written by Lt Edwards for this post]

 

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